The Switchblade Flying Car, developed by Oregon-based Samson Sky, is viewed as a potential tool to help Saudi Arabia broaden its regional tourist and business travel options.
Saudi Arabia’s interest in the driving and flying vehicle aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transform the country into a global hub for tourism and international trade by expanding connectivity to over 250 destinations.
The Middle East’s largest general aviation event, Sand & Fun Airshow 2025, held recently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hosted Samson Sky as a new exhibitor. The company’s exhibit, featuring the Switchblade, welcomed His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, pilot, former astronaut, and Founder and Board Chairman of the Saudi Aviation Club (SAC).
On the opening day of the airshow, Samson Sky and the SAC signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement includes Samson Sky providing training for Switchblade mechanics and pilots, assisting with the vehicle’s approval for use in Saudi Arabia, using SAC facilities for sales and demonstrations, and providing Switchblade owners with access to the SAC airport system throughout Saudi Arabia.
The hybrid-electric Switchblade Flying Car, which achieved its successful official First Flight in November 2023, is designed to fit a standard garage and can be driven on roads to a nearby airport. It can transform from driving to flying mode in three minutes with the push of a button. While driving, all flying surfaces are enclosed within the vehicle for safety and insurance.
The sports car offers an acceleration of 0–60 mph/97 km/h in 5 seconds and has a top speed of 125 mph/201 km/h. As an aircraft, with seating for two plus luggage, it has an estimated cruise speed of 160 mph/257 km/h and can fly up to 500 miles/805 km at 13,000 ft on a single tank using premium auto gas.
The SAC is an independent, non-profit organization focused on facilitating and promoting general and sports aviation activities in the Kingdom. It contributes to Vision 2030 by striving to develop a passion for flying. The partnership with Samson Sky advances this goal.
Samson Sky currently holds nearly 2,500 reservations for the Switchblade from over 50 countries, including every U.S. state, representing over $500 million USD in future revenue. The company also plans future certified commercial Switchblades for an economical Express Courier Service, with an estimated pricing of $200,000 USD.
